Intermet Safety and Awareness

The following are things I learned today while watching a video about the internet and some of its dangers:

Nearly 50 million children in the U.S. alone have access to the internet. They like chatting, shopping, “surfing” the net, looking for clothes, playing games, etc. They don’t know life without it. Over half of children like being alone when they surf on the internet, and feel safer and freer online because they think no one know who they.

Pornography websites top over 260 million. And there are sites to bet and gamble, and find out how to construct things like bombs. 90% of 8-16 year olds have viewed pornography online. Some of this is accidental, they don’t mean to stumble upon it, but it happens.

Domain names are purchased to intentionally deceive children and lead them to their websites. This is called “typo squatting”. People will purchase domain names similar to things popular among kids, like the name of a Disney character, in the hopes children will misspell things and go to their sites.

Kids are more often to look at a pop up and click on it, and be lured into what its offering or selling.

Today internet hate sites are showing up even faster than pornography websites. Children can be lured to them by searching for something for a school report, like Martin Luther Kind, Jr. thinking the things they say on these hate websites are historically accurate when in truth they are not.

46% of 3rd and 4th graders email!!!!

Cyber bullying is also becoming more and more common. Its being called the new “bathroom wall”. This bullying is done by posting hurtful comments, pictures, rumors, or even threatening someone. Sometimes this bullying is even done through text messages. This bullying can lead to depression and can lead to suicide.

Predators look for children who feel they are not listened to, and are more technologically savvy than their friends.


This is what I learned from an article titled “Leave it Alone” by Elder H. Burke Peterson. This article can be found at http://www.lds.org/

• What were the most important things you learned from the readings?
We think we are immune to violence and immorality in the media. This is not true and because we often fall into this belief, we do not recognize when we become trapped by its hurtful influence. No one can be exposed to the filth that is offered in so much of today’s media, without it affecting them. And this effect is not only spiritual; it’s emotional and physical as well. You will not be able to focus on things because the evil that we see can consume us and our thoughts. We need to rid ourselves, our lives, our homes and families of any destructive material. Throw it away! Don’t turn it on. Leave it alone.

• How will what you have read influence your actions as a parent and/or teacher of children and youth?
I think I will be more prone to discourage things that I do not feel good about watching or listening to. Usually I would just shrug something off by saying I didn’t really care for it, but I think I need to be bolder in stating how I really feel and not let those in my circle of influence have any doubt about where I stand.

• How can you use what you have learned from the reading to have a positive influence on family and friends?
I will encourage those around me to surround themselves with positive things which encourage good thoughts and only the highest regard for God’s sacred creations. Satan wants nothing more than to have us consume our lives with filth instead of wholesome things and I need to support my friends and family in doing good things so they in turn will help me do the same.

Elder Burke also gave three suggestions: daily prayer, reading the scriptures daily, and confessing and repenting. We should not go a day without doing this to add to the protection we receive against evil and should not be afraid to confess and repent of something we have done wrong, or have become addicted to, even if that means going to your bishop.

The best thing to do in order to not have negative impacts from the media is to avoid anything which is contrary to the will of God and teachings and things you believe in and stand for.